Mission Cataract USA

What is Mission Cataract USA?

Mission Cataract USA offers free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no means to pay.

Thanks to the dream of one eye surgeon in Fresno, California, one day a year on Mission Cataract Day, hundreds of people throughout the United States are given the gift of sight at no cost to them or to Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.

The dream started in 1991 when Frederick A. Richburg, MD, Medical Director of Valley Eye Institute in Fresno, California decided to donate one day for free cataract surgery and create a local mission right in his own back yard. Consequently Mission Cataract Fresno ‘91 was born. That year he and local volunteers screened over 150 people, and he performed free cataract surgery for 21.

In 1992, the program expanded to include six eye surgeons throughout California who offered free surgeries statewide for patients who had no Medicare, Medical, third party insurance or any other ability to pay. In 1993 the program expanded nationwide. As Dr. Richburg said, “Together we helped a lot of people.”

“There are many working people who need cataract surgery, but can’t afford to pay for it,” explains Dr. Richburg. “They have no insurance and don’t qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, or any other form of governmental assistance.”

Mission Cataract: Another name for caring.

The goal of Mission Cataract USA is to eradicate blindness due to cataracts in our country and bring as many people as possible from blindness to useful productive lives. We hope to have Mission Cataract surgeons in all 50 states so that no one in the United States will go without needed cataract surgery due to finances We want to make sure every vision impaired person in America without insurance or financial resources learns about this remarkable program.

One ophthalmologist said simply, “This is the best thing we’ve ever done.” Patients whose sight has been restored exclaim, “It’s a miracle!”

Also, Crystalens can correct your cataracts and give you back a full range of vision with just one Cataract Surgery

Mission Cataract USA News

January 21, 2015

Helping others see

In 1991, Frederick Richburg, medical director of Valley Eye Institute, decided to provide a day of free cataract surgery for people of all ages who couldn't afford it. Twenty-one surgeries were performed that May 18 as part of Mission Cataract.